Noah was referred to the Trust’s Live IT programme as a result of a referral from his GP, who was concerned about his weight.

Live IT is a child weight management programme targeted at 5- to 17-year-olds identified as being on or above the 85^th centile for BMI.

Noah attends weekly gym sessions at Derby Arena, working closely with Physical Activity and Health Officer Ben Asquith.  On how the sessions have impacted him, Noah said:  “Since joining Live IT, I have become more confident in playing sports. Before, people would say I wasn’t very good at football, but now I can join in, and I play basketball and rugby too. The gym has made me stronger, and I am fit enough to play properly now, with a lot more energy.”

The Live IT programme is designed to improve both physical and mental well-being of participants. Noah’s mum has seen firsthand how the sessions have impacted him, saying:

 “It has definitely made him more confident; he is more active and enjoys being out of the house a lot more. His confidence has gone from low to very high; it’s been nice to see that change in him as a person.”

Noah has also made significant progress in the gym, from being guided by Ben to now taking on independent sessions with little to no assistance. Noah recalls finding the exercises difficult at the start of the programme, “I remember how hard it was to achieve 1 mile on the bike, and now it’s easy.”  

Ben also commented on Noah’s progress, saying, “Since I first started working with Noah, he was shy and quiet. I soon realised he had a passion for football, and I won him over by talking about it, which distracted him from the workouts. As he progressed throughout the programme, he has become fitter, and he comes into the gym before I arrive to begin the warm-up on his own. His knowledge of the gym has improved; he doesn’t need me to stand with him anymore. I am very proud of Noah and the change we have seen in him. He has been a pleasure to work with.”

For more information about our Live IT programme, click the link here > https://derbycountycommunitytrust.com/what-we-do/live-it/.